Fire marshal investigates Cool Springs fire

A passing motorist was the first to report a fire at 8:38 a.m. Sept. 20, at the Cool Springs Golf Center, 1530 Hamilton Road, Bethel Park. It was not brought under control until almost 10 a.m.

Bethel Park Fire Chief Dave Gerber said the fire was mainly confined to the golf center’s garage and a storage area as well as to an overhang near the driving range.

When firefighters arrived, Gerber said the flames were through the roof. The Allegheny County Fire Marshal and members of the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are investigating the cause.

No one was at the center when the fire was reported, Gerber said, and the center is closed pending resolution of a legal issue.

The fire was brought under control at 9:57 a.m. Of the 40 to 45 firefighters at the blaze, none reported an injury.

Assisting Bethel Park were firefighters from Mt. Lebanon, Castle Shannon, Broughton in South Park, South Baldwin and Whitehall.

Hamilton Road near the golf center was closed to allow firefighters access to nearby hydrants, but reopened shortly before 10 a.m. Gerber said there was a “little problem at first” with the water supply, but the issue was quickly corrected.

A fire hose from a hydrant snaked across the entrance to Lincoln Elementary School, forcing students to leave the bus at the school’s entrance and walk along the driveway to the building.